What you need to know

The ecommerce market is growing strongly as the pandemic pushes consumers to shop more online across all categories. This means that there is an influx of packages entering the shipping and delivery realm and more consumers with high expectations of that experience. The role of technology and environmentally-friendly practices within shipping and delivery will become increasingly more important as consumers factor this into their decision making process.

Key issues covered in this Report

  • The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and the ecommerce market

  • The increased focus on value due to the recession

  • The tech-forward experience of shipping and delivery

  • The need for environmentally-friendly options and clear communication

Definition

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following definitions:

Shipping and delivery refers to the methods and practices used to fulfill online purchases. Services include major shipping brands such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon Fulfillment, Shipt (Target), and other small delivery services.

COVID-19: Market context

This Report was written August-September 2020.

The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the US in January 2020. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic, and on March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency in the US. 

Across the US, state-level stay-at-home orders rolled out throughout the months of March and April remaining in place through May, and in some cases June. During this time (referred to as lockdown) non-essential businesses and school districts across the nation closed or shifted to remote operations. Consumer research for this Report was fielded in June 2020 and reflects consumers’ attitudes and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic as restrictions on movement began to ease and businesses began to reopen across the US.

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